Hydraulically operated casket table for hearses



E. RICHTER 2,085,043

HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED CASKET TABLE FOR HEARSES June 29, 1 937.

7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 4, 1955 E. RICHTER June 29,1931.

HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED GASKET TABLE FOR HEARSES Filed Feb. 4, 1935 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 E. RICHTER 2,085,043

HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED GASKET TABLE FOR HEARSES June 29, 1937.

7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 4, 1935 June 29, 1937. E. RICHTER HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED CASKET TABLE FOR HEARSES Filed Feb. 4, 1955 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 June 29, 1937. RlCHTER 2,085,043

HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED CASKET TABLE FOR HEARSES Filed Feb. 4, 1935 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 ln'l/x/l/lm I //Z/ EEIIIEET' June 29, 1937. E. RICHTER 2,085,043

HYDRAULIOALLY OPERATED CASKET TABLE FOR HEARSES Filed Feb. 4, 1936 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 June 29, 1937. c z 2,085,043

HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED GASKET TABLE FOR HEARSES Filed Feb. 4. 1935 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 Patented June 29, 1937 PATENT OFFICE HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED CASKET TABLE FOR HEARSES Edward Richter, Freeport, llll.

Application February 4, 1935, Serial No. 4,729

45 Claims.

This invention relates to hearses 'of the, side delivery type.

The casket table in a side delivery hearseis guided for movement from a longitudinal position in the hearse to a transverse position extending from either side of the hearse. Hearses have been constructed to provide either for manual operation entirely or interchangeable manual or power operation. The interchangeable type 10 heretofore involved the meshing and unmeshing of gears and was not fool-proof. It is, therefore, one of the principal objects of my invention to provide a hydraulic table operating mechanism which is more easily convertible from power op- 15 eration to manual operation, or vice versa, there being no gears to mesh and unmesh, and which is .virtually fool-proof under all operating conditions.

The most improved table operating mechanism 20 thus far devised involved the used of a reversible electric motor driving a long screw normally engaging a worm gear on the casket table. This mechanism, while reasonably satisfactory, was subject to the objection mentioned before-name- 25 1y, that it required the throwing of gears into and out of mesh,'the worm gear being disengageable from the screw by manipulation of a lever. In accordance with my invention, a hydraulic piston and cylinder are provided for operating the 30 table, having in connection therewith an oil pump driven by a single uni-directional electric motor, and a valve movable to either one of two power operating positions to deliver the oil selectively to either end of the cylinder and drain oil from the other end, the valve'beinfg also arranged to be moved to an intermediate neutral position in which movement of the table by hand is permitted, the oil under such conditions being conducted simply from one end of the cylinder to the 40 other. Aside from the advantage of a simpler fool-proof gearless construction, the hydraulic mechanism offers smoother operation with hardly a perceptible sound.

Another important feature of my improved hydraulic mechanism is the provision of an overload release or safety valve in the hydraulic circuit which, in the event of the table encountering an obstruction, is arranged to open and by-pass oil so that no damage can occur to the table or any part of the. mechanism. With the electrically operated mechanisms, the-screw necessarily operated in the disengageable worm gear with such a speed reduction that considerable force could be a plied by the table to anything obstructing its 5:, movement before the motor would be stalled, andserious damage was apt to result either from careless operation or in the event some fault developed in the mechanism or in the table guides.

Still another important feature is the provision of automatic switching means so related to the valve that the operation of the valve for selecting the direction of movement throws the motor into operation, and other switch means operable automatically at the limits of movement of the table to open contacts to stop the motor but at the same time close other contacts, which upon operation of the valve for the reverse movement of the table, will complete another circuit for the motor. Still another switch means is provided in series with these other switches operable automatically in the turning of a table guide switch from its neutral table locking position, whereby to positively prevent closing of the motor circuit if the valve is operated before the table guide switch has been turned to an open position to allow movement of the table. 'The table guide switch being operable by movement forward of either seat to designate the route of table movement to the right or left side of the h'earse, according to which seat is moved, there is not only definite assurance that the table guide switch is opened before the motor circuit can be completed, but also assurance that the table will move in the proper direction and has ample room for its movement.

The invention will be better understood from the following detailed description in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure l is a horizontal section through the body of a hearse showing the casket table in plan view with the right seat moved forward to permit movement of the table to and from the position shown in dotted linesr Fig. 2 is a somewhat diagrammatic view showing a portion of the mound and its skeleton frame partly in plan and partly in horizontal section,

and showing the table guides and hydraulic oper- Fig. 30. but showing the piston moved to its forward limit;

Fig. 5 is a cross-section on the line 5- -5 of Fig. 3b;

Fig. 6 is a front view of the valve showing one of the contacts in elevation and the other in section;

Fig. 7 is a rear view of the valve;

Fig. 3 is a central, longitudinal section through the valve;

Fig. 9 is a cross-section on, the line 99 of Fig. 8 showing the stator port arrangement;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the rotor illustrating its port arrangement;

Fig. 11 is a cross-section in-a plane parallel to Fig. 9 but through the rotor and showing the rotor in one of its three operative positions;

Fig. 12 is a view showing the electric motor in plan view and the oil pump and reservoir in horizontal section;

Figs. 13 and 14 are cross-sections on the correspondingly numbered lines of Fig. 12;

I Figs. 15 and 16 are horizontal, sectional details on the correspondingly numbered lines of Fig. Ba;

Fig. 1'7 is a section similar to Fig. 16 but show: ing the parts in a different relationship;

Fig. 18 is a vertical section through the switch arranged to. be operated by the" piston at the limits of its movement, and i v Figs..19 and 20 are combination electric and oil circuit diagrams, Fig. 19 showing the valve in its third or ,neutral position permitting hand operation of the table when either of the seats is moved forward to accordingly open the table guide switch in the proper direction, and Fig. 20 showing the valve in one of its other twopositions for power operation of the table forwardly, the table guide switch being shown in a position for movement of the-table out to the right.

The same reference numerals are applied to corresponding parts throughout the views.

Referring first in a general way to Figures 1 and 2, 2| designates the body of a hearse having the usual doors 22 for use of the driver and a passenger occupying seats 23 and 24, and having other side doors 25 arranged to be opened only 28 which extends the full length of the body from the rear door 26 up to the seats 23-24. The table is guided in its movement to and from the dotted line extended position by three guide members' 29,30, and 3|. The'front guide member 29 l is in the form' of aheaded pin or stud projecting rim of a table guide switch 32, 'as disclosed in Figs. 3a and 15. The arcuate groove 33 in the switch 32 is arranged to direct the guide member 29 into the right or left one of two short guides 34 when the switch is turned to the proper position. Thus, the guide member 29 is movable toward the right when the switch 32 is turned to the position shown in Fig. 2. The second or middle guide member 30 may be a pin or roller also projecting downwardly from the bottom of the table 21 for movement in either of two guides 35 branching from the main longitudinal guide 36 wherein the third and main guide member 3| operates The latter is usually referred to as the shuttle because it operates back and forth in the one guide 36. It serves to support the table 21 against tilting when it is in the dotted line position of Figure 1 and the casket is moved out onto the outer end thereof. Casters 3'l distrib-, uted on the mound 28, as indicated in full and The dotted lines in Figure 1, support the table for easy rolling action.

Referring now to Figures 1-5, handles 38 on shuttle 3| with a cross-head 4|] movable length-' wise of a cylinder 4| suitably supported at its front and rear ends on theframe of the mound 28, as at 42 and 43, respectively. The cylinder 4| is the working cylinder of the hydraulic table operating, mechanism and contains a piston 44 having a rod 45 extending therefrom through the front end of the cylinder and connected, as at 4'6, to the front end of a tube 41, the rear end of which is attached to the crosshead 40, as at 48. A guide rod 49, suitably supported on the frame of the hearse at its forward end, as at 50, is received at its rear end in the tube 41 and forms a guide for the front end of the piston rod 45 in the extension thereof from the cylinder 4|, as

shown in Fig. 4, thus preventing sagging of the rod andconsequent binding in the end of the cylinder. The floor of the hearse in front of the mound is formed with a raised portion 5| extending fore and aft between the seats 2324 pending application 'of Earl L. Schofield and myself, Serial No. 1,750, filed January 14, 1935,.

are arranged to operate the switch member 32 through the medium of a T member 55 fastened to the downwardly projecting stem 56 of said switch member. The mode-of operation is fully explained in the other application and should be clear from Figs. 16 and 17. When the right seat 24 is moved forward, the rod 54 swings the arm 540 in a counterclockwise direction from the position of Fig. 16 to that of Fig. 1'7 and accordingly turns the -T member 55 and with it the switch member 32 from the closed'position of Figs. 3a, 15, or 19, 'to the open position of Fig. 2 or 20, thereby designating a route of table movement to the right side of the hearse body from the full line position of the table in Figure 1 to the dotted line position. The route of table movement is determined according to which seat is moved. Obviously, when either seat has been moved forward, it offers the required clearance for the table to move in and out behind it. When one seat is s'lid forward, the other seat is not free to move, it being held against movement by the T member 55, see Fig. 17. The stop 51 projecting downwardly from the housing .58 in which the switch 32 operates, limits the movement of the T member 55, as clearly appears in Fig. 17, and accordingly limits the movement of the seats. The seats are releasablylocked in the normal and forward positions by latches 59 cooperating with notches in the rods 53 and 54, as disclosed in the copending, application aforesaid. The knobs 60 projecting from the sides of the mound at the front end may be pulled out by hand to release either seat for movement forward or back, and there is provided alongside the'se knobs the levers BI and 62 on opposite sides of the mound for throwing the hydraulic table operating mechanism into operation, said levers being swingable forwardly, as hereinafter described, to produce power operation of the table forwardly and out of the hearse through either side, and being swingable rearwardly for the return movement. An intermediate position of the levers, as hereinafter described, is a neutral position so far as power operation is concerned and permits manual operation of the table in either direction.

Referring now mainly to Figs. 2, 19, and 20,

the levers BI and 62 are provided on opposite ends of a cross-rod 63 in the mound 28, having a lever 64 thereon connected by means of a link 65 with the control'lever 66 of a valve 61. The latter has connections a and b with the opposite ends of the cylinder II to supply oil under pressure selectively to either end and simultaneously exhaust oil from the other end to accordingly move the piston 44 back and forth. The oil under pressure is supplied to the valve 61 through a pipe connection c from a pump 68 in the reservoir 69 and the ofl exhausted from the cylinder is returned from the valve 61 to the reservoir 69 through another pipe connection d.- The pump in the reservoir 68 is, of course, operated only long enough to move the piston to one end or the other of the cylinder and accordingly move the table all the way in or out. A single unidirectional electric motor 10 drives the pump and is connected with a storage battery 1| through a relay 12. There are three switches connected with the relay 12, all of which must be closed before the relay will be energized and throw the motor into operation. Thefirst of these is switch 13 which is normally open but is closed when the table guide switch 32 is turned to open position by either of the arms 530-540, The second is a switch 74 which is normally closed two ways but arranged to have one phase opened when the arm 15 thereof is moved in one direction by a striker 16 on the crosshead 46 when the operating piston reaches the limit of its rearward movement, and arranged to have the other phase opened when the arm 15 is moved in the opposite direction by another striker ii on the crosshead 40 when the operating piston reaches the limit of its forward movement (see Fig. 4). is closed in one phase when the control lever 66 of the valve 5'8 is swung forward, as in Fig. 20, i

The operation can be followed by observing Figs.v

19 and 20.

Power operation In Fig. 20, the hand lever BI is shown as swung forward to produce'forward and outward movement of the table 21. At the moment that that is done, however, the arm 15 of the switch 14 is in the position of Fig. 19 with only the right hand phaseof the switch in closed circuit. The circuit is, therefore, as follows-Starting with the fact that the table guide switch 32 is grounded at switch 13, current flows through the conductor 19 through the right hand phase of switch 14 to the conductor then through the left hand phase of switch 18 to the control lever 66 and the conductor 8| extending therefrom to the coil of the relay l2, and from the coil through the battery II to the ground again. Its coil being energized, the relay [2 closes the circuit for the motor 10 in an obvious manner. The pump 68 The third switch is designated i8 and is, therefore, operated to pump oil from the reservoir 69 through the pipe 0 to the valve 61. The oil is delivered under pressure from the valve through the pipe b to the rear end of the cylinder 4|, thereby moving the piston 44 forward and accordingly moving thetable 2! forward and out through the right hand side of the hearse, the switch 32 being thrown in that direction. Oil is exhausted from in front of the piston through the pipe a to the valve 61 and flows from the valve through pipe d and back to the reservoir 69. When the piston 44 nearly reaches the front end of the cylinder, the striker 11 encounters the arm 15 and opens the right hand phase f the switch 14, accordingly de-energizing the relay 12 and stopping the motor 10. Under these conditions, the left hand phase of the switch 14 is left closed and accordingly when the hand lever Si is swung to the rear to close the right hand phase of switch 18, the circuit is closed again through the coil of the relay 12 from the lefthand .phase of switch H through conductor 82 to-the switch 18 and through conductor 8| to the relay I2, thus throwing the motor ill into operation again. With the lever 66 in this position, as will be explained in connection with the description of theyalve 61, the oil delivered from the pump 68 under pressure to the valve 61 through the pipe 0 is delivered through the pipe a. from the valve to the front end of the cylinder 4| to produce rearward movement of the piston 44 and accordingly return the table 21 to its normal position. The oil exhausted from the cylinder 4! behind the piston 44 is conducted through pipe b to the valve 61 and from there through pipe (1 back to the reservoir 69. A pressure relief valve 83 in the pipe connection 0 is arranged to discharge back into the reservoir 69 and is set to open at a certain pressure well above the pressure required to move the table 21 when normally loaded. Thus, in case the table encounters any obstruction on the mound 28, or elsewhere in the hearse, or encounters any obstruction outside the hearse, seriously resisting movement of the table, the valve 83 opens and by-passes the oil from the pump 68 directly back to the reservoir 69 and will continue to do so until the trouble is remedied. Under those conditions, the proper thing to do is to reverse the valve 61 so as t back the table away from the obstruction, before continuing the forward movement with the obstruction removed or the hearse moved to a position allowing free movement of the.v table. Otherwise, the control lever 66 of the valve 61 may be moved to the neutral position shown in Fig. 19, in which hand operation of the table is permitted, in which case the table can be backed away by hand from the obstruction and power operation resumed after the difliculty interfering with power operation has been remedied.

Manual operation Referring to Fig. 19, His evident that with the control lever 66 of the valve 61 in mid position, the motor circuit could not possibly be completed even when the switch 13 is closed, as in Fig. 20, by the moving forward of one of the seats preparatory to moving the table. The reason is that the switch 18 is kept open when the lever 66 does not engage the right or left hand contact. In this position of the valve, as will better appear later, the pipe connection 0 from the pump 68 is entirely out off from communication with the cylinder ll, and the pipes a and b are thrown into communication with one another 0 vol and with the piped. Thus, if the table is pulled forward and out by hand, using the handles 38, the oil from in front of the piston 44 willfiow out throughpipe a and back into thecylinder behind the piston through pipe b. However, because of the displacement due to the piston rod 45, less oil will be exhausted-from in front of the piston than it takes; to fillsthe cylinder behind the piston. The difference is made up by oil drawn in from the reservoir 69 through the pipe (I. In other words, the cylinder 4i is kept completely filled on both sides of the piston. In the return movement of the table there is, of course, more oil being discharged from the cylinder through pipe b than is required to fill the cylinder on the all the way-out or all the way in, depending on the direction of operation.

The difference in volumetric capacity of the cylinder 4i on opposite sides of the piston 44, due

. to the piston rod 45, results in a slight increase in the speed of operation of the table onthe return movements, the pump 68 being operated at a constant speed and having substantially constant delivery. This increased speed coming as it does' in the loading of the casket into the hearse, or when the hearse is starting its return trip, is considered an advantage rather than an objection.

Valve 67 The valve 61 is fully illustrated in Figs. 6-11. It comprises a cast body or stator 84 onto which a. bonnet 85 is bolted and enclosing a rotary disk'or rotor 86, the flat bottom face of which makes sealing contact with the flat top surface of the stator.

.A separate stem 81, to which the lever 66 previously mentioned is attached, is slidably coupled to the :rotor within a sleeve 88, as at 89, and a coiled compression spring surrounding the sleeve bears on the rotor to keep it in proper sealing engagement with the stator. This springat the same time serves by engagement at its other end with a washer tourge an inwardly facing cup leather 9| into a stuffing box 92 against one side of an annular flange 93 provided on the stem 81 to provide ,an oil tight seal and preventleakage along the stem. The flange 93 serves as a packing gland and further aids in effecting a good seal.

Behind this flange is a metal washer 94 and packing material 95 which, taken with the other fea-'- tures mentioned, eliminate the question of leakage entirely. A spring pressed ball detent 96 in the bonnet 85 next to the projecting end of the stem 81 releasably locks the lever 66 and rotor 86 in adjusted position, three circumferentially spaced recesses being provided therefor in the hub of the lever 66 to accommodate the ball detent in the three difierent positions of the valve. The ball detent is also of importance because it further insures maintaining good contact between v the insulated terminal 91 on the lever 66 and either of the insulated terminals 18a and 'l8b forming the switch 18 previously mentioned.

large ports e and f arranged to register with the ports a and b and a smaller port 9 arranged to register with port (1' when the valve is in the neutral position described above and illustrated in Fig. 19. Two small ports h and i are arranged to register interchangeably with the inlet port 0" in either of the two power operating positions of.

the valve. Two other ports 1 and ,k interconneoted by a cored passage in the rotor, as shown, are arranged to communicate interchangeably with the port (1 in either of said power'operating positions of the'valve. Thus, in Fig. 11, which corresponds with Fig. 20, the north is shown in communication with the port 0', and the port It in communication with the port d. Under these conditions, the oil enteringthe bonnet 85'at h is delivered at 2' to the pipe b extending to the rear end of the cylinder 4| and the oil discharged from the front end of the cylinder through pipe 0. is conducted through ports 5 and k to the pipe d extending to the reservoir 69. In the other power operating position, port i would become the inlet to the bonnet 85 with port '71. delivering the oil through pipe a to the cylinder and port It drain- \ing the return oil from pipe b to port a and thence through pipe d to the reservoir 69. The neutral position is half-way between these two extremes in which the rotor in the position of Fig. 10 is superimposed on the stator of Fig. 9 isolating the inlet port c and placing the port g in communication with the port d' and ports e and f in communication with ports a and b, respectively, to permit manual operation of the table back and forth as illustrated and described in connection with Fig. 19.

The rotor 86, during power operation of the table, is held seated under the pressure of the oil from the pump ,68, as wellas under the action of the spring 90, but in the event one takes hold of the table and moves it by hand faster than the power operation will move it, the oil pressure beneath the disk from the exhausting end of the cylinder 4i overcomes the opposing spring pressure and oil pressure and unseats the rotor. While the rotor is thus unseated, enough oil from the; pump and from the exhausting end or the cylinder will flnd its way to the other end of the cylinder and any excess will flnd its way to the sump. Then, whenever the quick hand movement is stopped, the rotor reseats and power operf ation is resumed from that point on.

Pump 68 and reservoir 69 Referring to Figs. 12-14, the motor I8 is mounted on a housing 98 which has a hollow extension 99 reaching into the reservoir 69 bolted onto the housing .98. The pump 68, which is of the rotary sliding vane type, although any other type suitable for the purpose may be employed,

this type being preferred becauseof its quiet operation, is driven by the motor through a coupling I00 and has an intake l0! with a restricted port I02 close enough to the bottom of the res- 'ervo ir 69 to be assured of oil even though the 76 reservoir may be in an unusual position. The cut-- ting down in the size of the intake port was found to eliminate noise otherwise experienced when cored passage I05 in the side of the housing 98 opening at I06 into the bottom of the reservoir 69. The reservoir is filled through an opening closed by the plug I01, and a level is maintained up to the opening closed by the plug I08. An air vent is provided in the top of the reservoir, as at I09. The pump. as stated above, is always operated in one direction, the reversal of movement of the table being obtained by shifting the valve 61 controlling the delivery of oil from the pump to the working cylinder. 1

v Switches 73 and 74 The switch'13is in the form of a plate IIO mounted on the housing 58 of the table guide switch 32 but insulated therefrom, as indicated at III. Two spring pressed terminals H2 and H3 are slidably mounted on the plate IIO for engagement by the arms 53c and 54c, respectively, to ground the conductor 19 which extends from the plate I I0 of the switch 13 to the terminal I I4 of the switch 14, a suitable clip being provided on the end of the spring of the terminal II2, as indicated in Figs. 16 and 1'7. Obviously, since the arms 53c54c are grounded on the frame, the contact of either of these arms with one of the terminals II 2-4 I3 completes the circult to ground for the conductor 19. The fact that the terminals II2-I I3 are spring pressed, as shown, insures maintaining a good electrical connection so long as either seat is in its forward position, and, of course, as was previously stated, where the seat is locked in its forward position so that there is no danger of the motor circuit being interrupted accidentally.

The switch 14 is shown in Fig. 18. Two pivoted contact arms H5 and I I6 are spring pressed toward engagement with the opposite sides of the terminal II 4. The conductor 80, previously mentioned, is connected to the terminal 80 in circuit with the arm H6, and the conductor 82 is connected to the terminal 82' in circuit with the arm I I5. The arm 15 is pivoted at III within the casing II8, which encloses the structure just described, and this arm extends through a slot in the case and has abutments I I9 and I20 on opposite sides of the projecting end at the proper elevation for engagement by the strikers 16 and Table bumpers and locking means Referring to Figs. 3a, 3b, and 4, it will be seen that there are rubber bumpers I2I and I22 on the shuttle 3| and crosshead 40, respectively, to cushion the iinpact at the limits of forward and return movement of the table. At the limit of forward movement, the bumper I2I engages the transverse frame member I23 at the front end of the guide 36. At the end of the return movement, thebumper I22 strikes an adjustable stop I24 provided on the rear support 43 of the cylinder 4|. The strikers 16 and 11 are so adjusted as to properly time the engagement of the bumpers at I23 and I24so that they will be compressed only to a slight degree and there will not be any perceptible sound or shock attendant upon the stopping of the table. The compression of the bumper I22 at I24 is of advantage in minimizing likelihood of any rattling of the table when the hearse is in motion.

Referring to Figs. 3a and 15, the table is further dovetailed and held against vibration at the front end by the entry of a dovetail projection I25 onthe housing 58 in between a pair of spring pressed plungers I28 provided in a housing I21 mounted on the bottom of the table 21 at the front end thereof. The dovetail I25 enters between the plungers I26 as the guide member 29 leaves the groove 33 of the table guide switch 32 at the end of the return movement of the table and the plungers are forced apart,

as clearly appears in Fig. 15, so that the spring pressure is active to prevent rattling of the table when the hearse is in motion. So long as the dovetail I25 is between the plungers I26, it is obvious that there can be no sidewise movement of the front end of the table, which would otherwise be permitted when the guide members 29 and 30 reach the limit positions shown in Figs. 3a and 3b. The shuttle 3|, of course, prevents any sidewise movement of the rear end of the table in the limit position, so that the table is firmly anchored during the time the hearse is apt to be in motion. It was previously explained how the head of the guide member 29 fits under the rim of the switch 32 to hold the table down in full engagement with the various casters 31, whereby to further anchor the same and eliminate rattling.

It is believed the foregoing description conveys a good understanding of my invention. The appended claims have been drawn with a view to covering all legitimate modifications and adaptations.

I claim:

1. In a hearse of the side delivery type, the combination of a casket table movable relative to a support, guide means on said support cooperating with the table for guiding the table for forward and lateral movement thereof from a longitudinal retracted position toward and out of the side of the hearse, interfitting piston and cylinder elements disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the casket table support, one of said elements being fixed relative to said support and the other of said elements being movable with respect theret0,.said movable element being pivotally connected to the table to communicate longitudinal movement thereto and permit simultaneous lateral movement, and means for supplying working fluid under pressure to either end of the cylinder whereby *to move the table in either direction.

2. In a hearse of the side delivery type, guide means having a longitudinal guide portion extending lengthwise .of the hearse, and a laterally extending guide portion, a casket table having guide members one of which is movable in the longitudinal guide portion and another in the lateral guide portion to guide the table for compound movement froma retracted position forwardly and laterally to extend out of the side of the hearse, an elongated cylinder disposed parallel to the longitudinal guide portion, a piston fitting in thecylinder, said cylinder. being fixed and the piston being movable and having a rod extending from one end of the cylinder, the piston rodbeing pivotally connected to said table by the guide member operable in the longitudinal guide portion, and means for supplying workingfluid under pressure to either end of the cylinder whereby to move the table in either direction.

3. In a hearse of the side delivery type; a guide means having a guide portion extending lengthwise of the hearse and another laterally extending guide portion, a casket table supported in said hearse and guided by said guide portions, and a fluid operated piston and cylinder mechanism for communicating movement to said table disposed substantially parallel with the first mentioned guide portion and pivotally connected to said table whereby to permit lateral movement of the table relative thereto.

4. In a hearse of the side delivery type, a guide means having a guide portion extending lengthwise of the hearse and other guide portions extending laterally from opposite sides of the first guide portion,.a casket table supported in said hearse andguided by said guide portions, and a fluid operated piston and cylinder mechanism for communicating movement to said table disposed substantially vertically aligned and parallel with the first mentioned guide portion and pivotally connected to said table whereby to permit lateral movement of the table relative thereto.

5. In a hearse of the side delivery type, guide means having a guide portion extending lengthwise of the hearse and another laterally extending. guide portion, a casket table supported in said hearse and guided by said guide portions, a working cylinder extending substantially parallel with the first mentioned guide portion, a piston fitting therein and having a rod extending from the-front end of said cylinder, a crosshead on the front end of said rod, a second rod extending from the crosshead rearwardly along the cylinder, 2, second crosshead slidable length- '7. In a hearse, a casket table supported in saidhearse for compound movement back or forthand laterally, relatively movable piston and cylinder elements for communicating movement to thetable, a manually operable switch member for controlling the direction of lateral movement of the table relative to the hearse, a pump for pumping working fluid under pressure into said cylinder, a valve arranged in one position to deliver fluid from the pump to one end of said cylinder and in another position to the other end of said cylinder whereby to produce table movement in either direction as desired, manually operable means for shifting'the valve from one position to the other, a motorfor driving said pump, switch means controlling the operation of the motor arrang'edto be closed automatically in the operation of the valve, and other switch means for control of the motor arranged to be closed automatically in the operation of the aforesaid switch member.

8. A structure as set forth in claim '7 wherein said valve is so constructed and so connected with said cylinder whereby it is arranged to be moved to a third position in which it allows free escape of fluid from either end of the cylinder and permits manual movement of the table in either direction independently of said motor and pump, said valve being further so constructed having a spring-seated valve member to allow.

normally a relatively restricted flow of. fluid for power operation of the table while the valve member is seated, but a relatively unrestricted flow of fluid during manual operation of the table while the valve member is held unseated under fluid pressure.

9. A-structure as set forth in claim '7 including other switch means operable automatically when the table reaches either of its limit positions to cause stopping of the motor.

10. In a hearse of the side delivery type, guide means having'a guide portion extending lengthwise .of the hearse and other guide portions extending laterally from opposite sides of the first guide portion, a casket table supported in saidhearse and arranged to be guided by the first guide portion conjointly with either one of the other guide portions, a switch member movable to guide the table into one or the other of the latter guide portions, relatively movable piston and cylinderelements for communicating movement to the'table, a pump for pumping working fluid under pressure into said cylinder, a valve arranged in one position to deliver fluid from the pump to one end of said cylinder and in another position to the other end of said cylinder whereby to produce table movement in either direction as desired, manually operable means for shifting the valve from one position to the other, a motor for driving said pump, one switch means for controlling the operation of the motor arranged to be closed automatically in the operation of the valve, and an interdependent switch means for further controlling the operation of said motor arranged to be closed automatically in the movement of the aforesaid switch member.

11. a, structure as set forth in claim 10 wherein. said valve is so constructed and so connected with said cylinder whereby it is arranged to be moved to a third position in which it allows free escape of fluid from either .end of the cyl nder and permits manual movement of the table in either direction independently of said motor and pump, said valve being furtherv so constructed having a spring-seated valve member to allow normally'a member is held unseated under fluid pressure.

12 A structure as set forth in claim 10 including third switch means operable automatically guideportion, a casket table supported in said E'guide portions extending laterally from oppos te sides of th first hearse and arranged to be guided by the first guide portion conjointly with either one of the other guide portions, a switch member movable to guide the table into one or the other of the latter guide portions, a pair of seats normally disposed adjacent the front end of said table, either of said seats being movable forwardly to an outof-the-way position relative to said table, means arranged in the movement of either seat to shift the switch member so as to provide for movement of the table past the moved seat, relatively movable piston and cylinder elements for communicating movement to the table, a pump for pumping working fluid under pressure into said cylinder, a valve arranged in one position to deliver fluidfrom the pump to one end of said cylinder and in another position to the other end of said cylinder whereby to produce table movement in matically in the movement of' the. aforesaid switch member.

14. A structure as set forth in claim 13 wherein said valve is so constructed and so connected with said cylinder whereby it is arranged to be moved 'to a third position in which it allows free escape of fluid from either end of the cylinder and permits manual movement of the table in either direction independently of said motor and pump, said valve being further so, constructed having a spring-seated valve member to allow normally a relatively restricted flow of fluid for power operation of the table while the valve member is seated, but a relatively unrestricted flow of fluid during manual operation of the table while the v valve member is held unseated under fluid pressure.

15. A structure as set forth in claim 13 including third switch means operable automatically when the table reaches either of its limit positions to cause stopping of the motor.

16. In a hearse, a casket table supported in said hearse for movement back and forth, relatively movable piston and cylinder elements for communicating movement to the table, a pump for pumping working fluid under pressure into said cylinder, a fluid reservoir for supplying fluid to the pump, valve means for conducting fluid from the pump selectively into either end of said cylinder while exhausting fluid from the respectively opposite end of said cylinder into said reservoir to accordingly move the table under power in either direction, a motor for driving said pump, and a pressure relief valve for by-passing oil from the pump to the reservoir in the event of excessive resistance to movement of the table.

17. Ina hearse of the side delivery type, guide means having a guide portion extending lengthwise of .the hearse, and another laterally extending guide portion, a casket table supported in said hearse and'guided by said guide portions, a fluid operable piston and cylinder mechanism extending substantially parallel with the flrst mentioned guide portion and connected with the table to acuate the same, and an overload relief valve communicating with the cylinder and arranged to open in the event of build 'up in pressure beyond a predetermined point. 3.:

18. In a hearse of the side delivery type, guide means having a guide portion extending lengthwise of the hearse and other guide portions extending laterally from opposite sides of the first guide portion, a casket table supported in said hearse and arranged to be guided by the first guide portion conjointly with either one of the other guide portions, a switch member movable to guide the table into one or the other of the latter guide portions, relatively movable piston and cylinder elements for communicating movement to the table, a pump for pumping working fluid under pressure into said cylinder, a valve arranged in one position to deliver fluid from the pump to one end of said cylinder and in another position to the other end of said cylinder whereby to produce table movement in either direction as desired, manually operable means for shifting the valve from one position to the other, a motor for driving said pump, and a switch means for controlling the operation of said motor arranged to .be closed automatically in the movement of the aforesaid switch member.

19. A structure as set forth in claim 18 wherein said valve is so constructed and so connected with saidcylinder whereby it is arranged to be moved to athird position in which it allows free escape of fluid from either end of .the cylinder and permits manual movement of the table in either direction independently of said motor and pump, said valve being further so constructed having a springseated valve member to allow normally a relatively restricted flow of fluid for power operation of the table while the valve member is seated, but a relatively unrestricted flow of fluid during manual operation of the table while the valve member is held unseated under fluid pressure.

20. A structure as set forth in claim 18 including other switch means operable automatically when the table reaches either of its limit positions to cause stopping of the motor.

21. In a hearse, a casket table supported in said hearse for movement back and forth, relatively movable piston and cylinder elements for communicating movement to the table, a pump for pumping working fluid under pressure into said cylinder, a fluid reservoir for supplying fluid to the pump, a motor for operating said pump,

'mally seated to control the fluid flow specified for power operation but adapted to unseat automatically under fluid pressure when said table durlngpower operation is moved faster'by hand whereby to provide open communication between the opposite ends of the cylinder and the reservoir as required for hand operation-of the table, said plate being adapted to reseat when power operation is to be resumed.

22. In a hearse, a casket table supported in said hearse for movement back and forth, relatively movable piston and cylinder elements for communicating movement to the table, a pump i'or'pumpingworking fluid under pressure into said cylinder, a fluid reservoir for supplying fluid to the pump, a'motor for operating said pump,

and a manually operable valve normally controlling communication between the pump and cylwhereby to conduct fluid under pressure from the pump selectively to either end of said cylinder and simultaneously conduct fluid from the respectively opposite end of the cylinder to the reservoir to cause movement of the table under power in I either direction, said valve being so constructed and so connected with the cylinder whereby it is arranged to be moved to another position establishing free communication between the opposite ends of the cylinder and the: reservoir, whereby to permit movement of the table manually inde-- movement to said part under power or arranged to be moved therewith by hand, a fluid reservoir, a. pump supplied with fluid therefrom, a motor for driving said pump, and a valve communicating with the reservoir and pump and connected with the cylinder arranged in either of two operative positions to conduct fluid under pressure selectively to either end of the cylinder and simultaneously exhaust fluid from the respectively op- .posite endmf the cylinder into the reservoir to produce movement of the part under power in either direction as desired, said valve being so constructed andso connected with the cylinder whereby it is arranged in a third position to interconnect the opposite ends of the cylinder and establish communication therefor with the reser-' voir, whereby to permit movement of said part manually independently of the pump and motor,

said valve including a spring seated valve mem-' bar which normally is seated to allow a relatively restricted flow of fluid for power operation of the reciprocable part, but is arranged to be unseated by fluidpress'ure to allow relatively unrestricted flow of fluid for manual operation of said reciprocablc part. I

- 24. In a hearse. a guide means comprising a main guide portion extending lengthwise of the hearse, and secondary guide portions extending laterally from opposite sides of said longitudinal guide, a casket table'supported in said hearse for movement relative to said guides, a rotary switch member adjacent one end of said table arranged to be turned to guide the table into one or the other laterally extending guide, said table being always engaged at its other end in he longitudinal guide and being arranged to move lengthwise into and out of engagement in said switch member, and means for locking said table at the switch end against lateral movement when withdrawn from the switch member, said means comprising an interfltting projection and receptacle arranged to be intereng'aged or disengaged by lengthwise movement of the table, the one interfltting part being supported on the hearse and t the other being movable with the table.

ably by power or by'hand, relatively movable piston and cylinder elements for communicating 25. A hearse as set forth in claim 24 wherein. the table has a headed member for guiding endisplacement.

26. In a hydraulically operated device, a reciprocable part arranged to be moved interchangemovementto said part under power or arranged to be moved therewith by hand, a fluid reservoir, a pump supplied with fluid therefrom, a motor for-- driving said pump, and a plate type valve communicating with the reservoir and pump and connected with the cylinder, arranged in either of two operative positions to conduct fluid under pres-' by hand, whereby to interconnect the opposite ends of the cylinder and establish communication therefor with the reservoir to permit hand operation of the part independently of the pump and motor, said plate being adapted to reseat when power operation is to be resumed.

27. In a hearse of the side delivery type, guide means, a casket table supported in said hearse and guided by said guide means, a working cylinder, a piston fitting therein and having a rod extending from one end of said cylinder, a crosshead on the outer end of said rod, a, second rod extending from the crosshead toward and along the cylinder, a second crosshead slidable lengthwise of the cylinder and connected to the adjacent end of said second rod, one" of saidcrossheads being pivotally connected to said table to communicate movement thereto, and means for supplying working fluid selectively to either end of saidcylinder to accordingly move the table in either direction. v

28, A structure as set forth in claim 27, where in the second rod is tubular, the structure including a guide rod supported in parallelism with said cylinder and fitting in the tubular second rod able-piston and cylinder elements for communi-- eating movement to the table, a pump for pumping working fluid under pressure into said cylinder,.a valve arranged in one position to deliver fluid from the pump to one-end of said cylinder and in another position to the other end of said cylinder-whereby to produce table movement-in either direction as desired, manually operable means for shifting the valve from one position to the other, a motor for driving said pump, one switch means for controlling the operation of the motor arranged to be closed automatically in the operation of the valve; and an inter-dependent switch means for further controlling the operation of said motor arranged to be closed automatically in. the movement of the aforesaid switch member.

30. In a hearse of the side deliverytype, guide means having a guide portion extending lengthwise of the hearse 'andanother laterally extending guide portion, a casket'table supported in j said hearse and arranged to be guided by the first guide portion conjointly with the other guide portion,- a switch member movable. to guide the table into the latter guide portion, relatively movtable into the latter guide portion, a seat normally disposed adjacentthe front end of said table movable forwardly to an out-of-the-way position relative to said table, means arranged in the movement of said seat to shift the switch member so as to provide for movement of the table past the seat, relatively movable piston and cylinder elements for communicating movement to the table, a pump for pumping working fluid under pressure into said cylinder, a valve arranged in one position to deliver fluid from the pump to one end of said cylinder and in another position to the other end of said cylinder whereby to produce table movement in either direction as desired, manually operable means for shifting the valve from one position to the other, a motor for driving said pump, one switch means for controlling the operation of the motor arranged to be closed automatically in the operation of the valve, and an interdependent switch means for further controlling the operation of said motor arranged to be closed automatically in the movement of the aforesaid switch member.

31. In a hearse oi the side delivery type, guide means having a guide portion extending length- .wise of the hearse and another laterally extending guide portion, a casket table supported in said hearse and arranged to be guided by the flrst guide portion conJointly with the other guide portion, a switch member movable to guide the table into the latter guide portion, relatively movable piston and cylinder elements for communicatin movement to the table, a pump for pumping working fluid under pressure into said cylinder, a valve arranged in one position to deliver fluid from the pump to one end of said cylinder and in another position to the other end of said cylinder whereby to produce table movement in either direction as desired, manually operable means for shifting the valve from one position to the other, a motor for driving said pump, and a switch means for controlling the operation of said motor arranged to be closed automatically in the movement of the aforesaid switch member.

32. In a hearse, a guide means comprising a main, guide portion extending lengthwise of the hearse, and a secondary guide portion extending laterally fromsaid longitudinal guide, a casket table supported in said hearse for movement relative to said guides, a rotary switch member adjacent one end of said table arranged to be turned to guide'the table into the laterally ex tending guide, said table being always engaged at its other end in the longitudinal guide and being arranged to move lengthwise into and out of engagement in said switch member, and means for locking said table at the switch end against lateral movement when withdrawn from the switch member, said means comprising an interfitting projection and receptacle arranged to be interengaged or disengaged by lengthwise movement of the table, the one interfitting part being supported on the hearse and the other being movable with the table.

33. A hearse as set forth in claim- 32, wherein the table has a headed member for guiding engagement in the switch member, and wherein said switch member is formed to provide a pro jecting portion arranged to engage the headed member when the switch member is turned to closed position, whereby to hold the table against upward displacement while it is also held against lateral displacement.

34. In a hearse, a casket table supported in said hearse for movement back and forth, relatively movable piston and cylinder elements for communicating movement to the table, a pump for pumping working fluid-under pressure into said cylinder, a valve arranged in one position to deliver fluid from the pump to one end of said 'cylinder and in another position to the other end of said cylinder whereby to produce table movement in either direction as desired, manually er operation of the'table, but is arranged to be 4 unseated under fluid pressure in th event of faster movement of the table manually, whereby to allow relatively unrestricted flow of fluid required in the manual operation of the table.

35. In a hearse of the side delivery type, guide means having a longitudinal guide portion extending lengthwise of the hearse, and a laterally extending guide portion, a casket table having guide members one of which is movable in the longitudinal guide portion and another in the lateral guide portion to guide the table for coinpound movement from a retracted position forwardly and laterally to extend out of the side of the hearse, an elongated cylinder extending in the same general direction as one of said guide portions, a piston fitting in the cylinder, said cylinder being fixed and the piston being movable and having a rod extending from one end of the cylinder, the piston rod being operatively connected to said table by the guide member operable in the last-mentioned guide portion, and means for supplying working fluid under pressure to either end of the cylinder whereby to table whereby to permit lateral movement of the table relative thereto.

3'7. In a hearse of the side delivery type, guide means having a guide portion extending lengthwise of the hearse, and another laterally extending guide portion, a casket table supported in said hearse and guided by said guide portions. a fluid operable piston and cylinder mechanism extending substantially parallel with one of said guide portions and connected with the table to actuate the same, and an overload relief valve communicating with the cylinder and arranged to open in the event of build up in pressure beyond a predetermined point.

38. In a hearse of the side delivery type, guide means having a guide portion extending lengthwise of the hearse and another laterally extending guide portion, a casket table supported in said hearse and arranged to'be guided by the first guide portion conjointly with the other guide portion, relatively movable piston and cylinder elements for communicating movement to the table, a pump for pumping working fluid under pressure into said cylinder, a valve arranged in one position to deliver fluid from the pump to one end of said cylinder and in another position to the other end of said cylinder whereby to produce' table movement in either direction as desir'ed, manually operable means for shifting the valve from one position to the other, a motor for driving said pump, and a switch means for conpump, saidvalve being further so constructed havinga spring-seated valve member to allow normally a relatively restricted flow of fluid for power operation of the table while the valve member isseated, but a relatively unrestricted flow of fluid during manual operation of the table while the valve member is held unseated under fluid pressure.

40. A structure asset .forth in claim 38, including other switch means operable automatically when the table reaches either of its limit positions to cause stopping of the motor.

41. In a hydraulically operated device, an actuated member supported for movement back and forth, relatively movable piston and cylinder elements for communicating movement to the actu-' ated member, a pump forpumping working fluid under pressure into said cylinder, a fluid reservoir for supplying fluid-to the pump, a motor for operating said pump, and a manually rotatable .plate type valve normally controlling communication between the pump and cylinder and between the cylinder and reservoir, whereby to conduct fluid under pressure from the pumpselectively to either" end of the cylinder and simultaneously conduct fluid from the respectively opposite end oi. the. cylinder totthe reservoir to cause movement or the table under power, said valve comprising a plate normally seated to control the fluid flow specified for power operation but adapted to* unseat automatically under fluid pressure. when said actuated member during power operation-is moved faster by hand whereby to proyide open communication between the opposite ends of the cylinder and the reservoir as rea motor'for driving said pump, a plate type valve communicating with the reservoir and pump and connected with .the cylinder, arranged in either of two operative positionsto conduct fluid under pressure selectively to either end of the cylinder and simultaneously exhaust fluid from the respectively opposite end 01' the cylinder into the reservoir to produce movement of the part under powerv in either direction as desired, said valve comprising a plate normally seated to control the fluid flow specified for power operation but adapted to unseat under a predetermined excess of fluid pressure in the cylinder in front of said piston. when said part during power operation is moved faster by hand, whereby to interconnect the opposite ends of thecylinder and establish communication therefor with the reservoirto permit hand operation of the part independently of the pump and motor, said plate being adapted to reseat when power operation is to be resumed, and a pressure relief valve connected between the pump and cylinder arranged to open in the event the pressure in the cylinder behind the piston exceeds a predetermined value.

43. In a hearse, a casket table supported in said hearse for. movement back and forth, a fluidoperated piston and cylinder mechanism .oper-- operated piston and cylindermechanism operatively connected with the table to communicate I movement thereto, means having fluid communication with the opposite ends of said cylinder whereby working fluid under pressure is supplied selectively toeither end of the cylinder and fluid v is drained from the opposite end whereby to move the table in either direction, and a pressure relief valve arranged to open in the event of excess pressure on the drain side of the piston, whereby to permit manual operation of the table at increased speed during power operation thereof.

45.,1n a hearse, a casket table supported in said hearse for movement back and forth, a fluid operated piston and cylinder mechanism oper-- atively connected with the table to communicate movement thereto, means having fluid communication with the opposite ends of said cylinder whereby working fluid under pressure is supplied selectively to either end of the cylinderand fluid is drained from the opposite end whereby to move the table in either direction, a pressure relief valve arranged to open in the event of excess pressure on the drain side of the piston, whereby to permit manual operation of the table at increased speed during power operation thereof, and a pressure relief valve arranged 'to open in the event of excess pressure in the cylinder on the other side of the piston, whereby to stop the table during power operation in the event of excessive resistance to movement thereof. 1

EDWARD RICHTER. 

